Double-sided adhesive tape and method of application for slipcovers

ABSTRACT

A specially designed non-permanent double-sided tape consisting of a flexible substrate coated on one side with pressure sensitive adhesive and coated on the other side with low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive that is used to securely hold any style slipcover fabric to furniture whereby the slipcover will not move from its desired position after or during normal use. The tape will allow for removal of the slipcover from the furniture as well as allow removal of the tape from the furniture without leaving a residue. The heat activated side of the tape is reusable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a specially designed non-permanent double-sided adhesive tape that is used to securely hold any style slipcover in place whereby the slipcover will not move from its desired position after, or during, normal use. It will not shift forward, backward, or laterally. In addition, because of the tape's special construction, it allows for easy removal of the slipcover from the underlying furniture; allows the user to remove the tape from the underlying furniture without leaving a residue; and the tape is re-useable.

This disclosure relates to Provisional Application 60/619,998 which was filed on Oct. 19, 2004, and claims priority therefrom.

BACKGROUND

Consumers may desire a change in their home furniture, and there are several options. New furniture can be purchased, existing furniture can be re-upholstered, or a slipcover custom-made or ready-made can be ordered. Those who choose the slipcover option do so for numerous reasons, to occasionally change the fabric/look of their furniture; to launder the slipcover fabric if ever need be; and it is generally the least expensive of the options.

Movement has been a problem with any slipcover, custom or ready-made. Under normal use, slipcovers typically shift out of place in all directions. Ready-made slipcovers will begin to shift almost immediately when in use.

The Riley U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,723, issued on Mar. 3, 1998, discloses a device essentially made of bendable rubber that when inserted into the back crevices of a piece of furniture, behind the seat cushions, yet on top of the slipcover, is meant to hold the slipcover in place. Although this device does, to some extent, do what it is designed to do, it falls short of its main purpose—securing a slipcover to the underlying furniture. In reality, after careful read of the aforementioned Riley patent, the device disclosed therein is only meant to stabilize, not securely hold, the slipcover in place.

In addition, the Riley device is designed to be inserted in only the crevices of a slipcover; such as the crevice of the inside arm, and the crevice under the seat cushion where the slipcover is not seen. However, this device will not prevent the slipcover from movement or shifting caused by the weight of an individual sitting or lying on the slip covered furniture. As a result, unless the slipcover can be secured from all forward, backward, and lateral movement, the slipcover will continue to move, wrinkle, and shift around into an unsightly appearance, and will require maintenance on the part of the slipcover owner to constantly re-tuck and adjust the slipcover after normal use.

There are various patents describing spring-loaded and other devices, yet again they not only have limited actual holding power but are also designed for placement on top of and only in the crevices of slip-covered furniture.

When discussing other double-sided tapes on the market, there does not exist a tape that will perform the function of this device. Double-sided tapes per se are well known, but that feature alone is not enough.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to a unique non-permanent double-sided adhesive tape to securely adhere and hold any style slipcover, fabric, or other covering (hereinafter referred to as “slipcover”) in place during normal use. The double-sided tape securely holds the slipcover in place by placing the tape in numerous locations on the surface of the furniture upholstery where it can come into contact with the underneath surface of a slipcover to hold and shape the slipcover to the contour of the underlying furniture. Based on construction of the tape, the slipcover can be easily removed from the furniture, and the tape itself can be removed from the underlying furniture without leaving a residue. The tape is also re-useable.

Also disclosed is a method of applying and using the tape to securely prevent slipcovers and the like from shifting and becoming unsightly during use.

The double-sided tape is designed to be used outside the crevices, although it can be placed inside or partially inside the crevices as well. For example, tape along the outside arm of a piece of furniture as well as along the inside of the furniture arm creates tension necessary to keep the slipcover in that area from shifting while in use. The tension formed by the double-sided tape is required in order to hold the slipcover in place as compared to the use of any device which may be placed only in the crevice of the furniture to anchor the slipcover to the furniture.

The double-sided tape may form the strength of attachment similar to permanently fastening a piece of fabric along furniture arms by first stapling the inside arm to the frame of the furniture and pulling the other end of the fabric over and down the outside of the arm, thereby creating the necessary tension. The double-sided tape is a non-permanent means of performing a similar function.

In addition, the tape is manufactured to allow the slipcover to be removed at any time as may be desired. The strength of the tape can withstand vigorous tension, and yet the slipcover can still be removed with minimal effort. Also, the tape will allow for the removed slipcover to be re-installed and yet still securely hold the slipcover in place once again. The tape itself can be removed from the underlying furniture without leaving a residue.

This double-sided tape may be employed with custom-made slipcovers where the furniture cushions are removed from the body of the furniture before the installation and covered separately, thereby allowing total access to all parts of the furniture. The inside furniture arms and the inside back of the furniture may be easily secured with the application of heat with the tape while the seat cushions are temporarily removed.

The tape may also work with ready-made slipcovers and other fabric or coverings as well by applying the tape to the furniture according to the construction of the slipcover and typically employing the tape in a number of locations.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the layers of the double-side tape.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the double-sided tape depicting the distinct layers.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of an embodiment of the double-sided tape in use with furniture.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a second embodiment of the double-sided tape in use with furniture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the removable and reusable double-sided adhesive tape 1 includes a substrate 20 formed of fiberglass cloth or any material which may provide both the strength and flexibility of a fiberglass cloth substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate 20 can be formed of a woven caramelized fiberglass cloth which is flexible enough to be comfortable while the underlying furniture is in use. The substrate 20 may also be formed of other materials which provide flexibility and strength, such as, for example, cotton, cotton blends, synthetic materials, such as polyesters and the like. The substrate 20 may typically have a thickness of approximately 2.5 millimeters to 4.5 millimeters.

One side of the substrate 20 may be coated with at least one aggressive, high temperature resistant, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) 10, and having a coating thickness of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters. In one embodiment, the PSA can be formed of an acrylic based on the cohesive strength, excellent anchorage qualities, and cost effectiveness, such as the adhesive manufactured by Avery-Dennison of Pasadena, Calif. Acrylic adhesives can be resistant to high temperatures and typically does not leave a residue on a contact surface after removal.

The PSA can be temporarily covered with removable release paper 12 to prevent or lower the incidence of entanglement or sticking in unwanted locations on the furniture, the slipcover, or the user.

The opposite side of the substrate 20 may be coated with at least one low temperature reactive, heat-activated adhesive 30 which is placed in contact with the slipcover, fabric or other covering (“slipcover”) and secures the slipcover to the tape. The heat-activated adhesive, such as the adhesive manufactured by Mace Company of Massachusetts, may have a thickness of approximately 1.0 to 2 millimeters. The heat-activated adhesive typically has the ability to begin to flow, and therefore adhere, at relatively low temperatures. The nature of heat-activated adhesives is such that it has the ability to be reheated multiple times and still have holding power. In one embodiment, the heat-activated adhesive can be a urethane or another adhesive having similar characteristics.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an article of furniture, having the seat and back cushions removed, to show the general locations to place the tape 1 for installation of a custom-made slipcover. The tape 1 can be applied directly to the existing furniture in areas shown before the slipcover 50 is installed. The release liner 12 can be removed, and the tape 1 can be applied using the pressure-sensitive side 10 in contact with and adhering to the existing furniture or sofa 40.

The heat-activated side 30 would be the outer face of the tape 1 to contact the slipcover when it is placed on the furniture. The tape 1 is applied at least to locations of the furniture, such as, for example, the inside arms 62, the outside arms 64, the inside back 66, the outside back 68, and along the bottom decking's front edge 70 under the seat cushions to prevent or diminish most forward, backward, and/or lateral movement of the slipcover 50. The tape 1 may be applied to numerous other locations depending on the style of furniture 40.

After the tape 1 is applied to the existing furniture, the slipcover 50 is installed and adjusted to its proper position. Once the slipcover is installed, a heat source such as an iron or steamer may be applied to the face of the slipcover 50 over and along the locations of the tape 1. The length of heat application will vary according to the slipcover materials and their thicknesses. Heat can quickly activate the low temperature reactive, heat-activated adhesive 30 and cause the underside of the slipcover 50 to adhere to the tape 1. The tape 1 forms a strong yet non-permanent bond between the slipcover 50 and the furniture 40, thereby providing comfortable and securely fastened slipcovers.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an article of furniture having the seat cushions in their typical location, and showing the general locations to place the double-sided tape on to the existing furniture when installing a ready-made slipcover or covering material. In addition to placing the tape 1 in locations of the inside arms 62, the outside arms 64, the inside back 66, and the outside back 68, the tape 1 may also be placed on the upper surface of each seat cushion along the side 72, side 74, and far back 76. The tape 1 may also be placed along the front of the body of the existing furniture just below the level of the seat cushions as indicated at position 78.

The non-permanent nature of the tape 1 is enhanced by the use of a low temperature reactive adhesive. Allowing the heat-activated adhesive to adhere at relatively low temperatures may result in minimal time expenditures for heating the tape. The minimal time, temperature and pressure needed to activate the adhesive may result in lesser amount of adhesive allowed to penetrate the fibers of the UNDERSIDE slipcover fabric contact surface. Lesser adhesive penetration may result in the ability to remove the slipcover from the tape without great effort and reuse the heat activated side of the tape 1.

Also, this uniquely designed tape uses heat-activated adhesive because it is dry to the touch, and therefore the slipcover with slide over the tape with ease during installation. The tape will stay in place, as will the host slipcover, after the proper heating technique is applied.

The reusability of tape 1 is a function of the amount of adhesive which is present on either side of the substrate in an amount that is calculated to securely hold the slipcover without causing damage to the existing furniture. The application of too little adhesive would diminish its holding capacity, and too much adhesive may make removal of the slipcover difficult. The least amount of heat-activated adhesive 30 should be used, and the amount employed on the substrate 20 is typically less than the amount of PSA used. It is this inverse relationship in quantities used that contributes to the tape's reusability. If the slipcover 50 is later removed from the furniture 40, the tape 1 can remain on the furniture 40 because of the larger quantities, and therefore stronger bond, of the PSA 10 as compared to the lesser quantity, and therefore lesser bond, of heat-activated adhesive. While the tape 1 remains on the furniture after the slipcover is removed for washing or replacement, a slipcover may be placed on the reusable tape 1 and the tape 1 re-heated to again yield secure attachment. This process can be repeated multiple times before enough fibers from the underside of the slipcover material accumulate to diminish the effectiveness of the heat-activated adhesive 30. Generally, slipcover fabrics having a tight weave, and a smooth surface can be re-installed multiple times, as compared to fabrics having loose weave, and irregular surfaces, which can typically be re-installed two or three times. Additionally, adhesion may also be enhanced by using medium temperatures and medium pressures exertion on the fabrics.

The width of the tape may be formed to be approximately 2.5 to 3 inches for great strength per square inch. Although there is no maximum limit to the length or width the tape may be, wider tape requires less adhesive strength per square inch. The more furniture area covered by the tape, the less adhesive strength is required overall. As mentioned earlier, the least amount of heat-activated adhesive should be used in order to facilitate the removal of the slipcover. Therefore, the wider the tape, the less amount of heat activated adhesive needed to create a strong, yet non-permanent bond.

The double-sided tape is advantageous over the known art because only a tape constructed and applied in the way presented will yield the stated results. For example, previously known double-sided tapes often include PSA on both sides of the substrate, which will interfere with the slipcover installation since both sides of the tape include a tacky adhesive. The slipcover would be stuck at any point of contact with the tape throughout the installation, thereby making the installation of the slipcover time consuming, difficult, and frustrating, especially with snug fitting custom slipcovers. In addition, the tape will dislodge in certain spots, and/or accumulate fibers and the like, from movement of the slipcover over and onto the tape during installation of the slipcover. As a result, adhesion would be severely diminished, with re-usability non-existent.

Another possible combination tape may be a double-sided tape with heat-activated adhesive on both sides of the substrate, with a small amount of PSA coated on top of one side of the tape 1. It is this side that would be applied to the furniture itself. The small amount of PSA would be used to help stabilize the tape in place before slipcover installation. However, due to the abrasiveness of a slipcover installation on the underlying furniture, the tape 1 constructed in this manner would move, buckle, and fold before proper installation could be completed. In addition, heat-activated adhesive used directly on the face of underlying furniture will tend to damage the existing furniture material.

In conclusion, this uniquely designed double-sided adhesive tape and method of application provides the user with the ability to transform a messy, disheveled-looking slipcover into one with a neat appearance that will stay that way even after normal use. Yet the slipcover is still removable, a feature most slipcover owners require. Also, the slipcover can be removed, reinstalled, and re-heated multiple times using the same double-sided tape of this disclosure, to once again grip the furniture. The double-sided tape can also be removed from the underlying furniture, if so desired, and it will not leave a sticky residue.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

1. A removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape for adhering slipcovers and fabric to furniture comprising: at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, at least one low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive, and a substrate having said at least one pressure sensitive adhesive on a side and said at least one low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive on a side.
 2. A removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape of claim 1, wherein said substrate selected from a group consisting of fiberglass, cotton, cotton blends, polyesters and combinations thereof.
 3. A removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape of claim 2, wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is an acrylic.
 4. A removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape of claim 3, wherein said low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive is a urethane.
 5. A removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape of claim 4, wherein said tape does not form a residue on said furniture.
 6. A method of securely attaching a custom slipcover to furniture comprising: adhering removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, at least one low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive, and a flexible substrate and forming a bond between said slip cover and furniture.
 7. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 6, wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is an acrylic.
 8. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 7, wherein said low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive is a urethane.
 9. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 8, wherein said substrate selected from a group consisting of fiberglass, cotton, cotton blends, polyesters and combinations thereof.
 10. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 9, further comprising placing said tape along arms of said furniture.
 11. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 10, further comprising placing said tape along the back of said furniture.
 12. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 11, further comprising placing said tape along deckings of said furniture.
 13. A method of securely attaching a pre-made slipcover to furniture comprising: adhering removable, reusable double-sided adhesive tape at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, at least one low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive, and a flexible substrate and forming a bond between said slip cover and said furniture.
 14. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 13, wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is an acrylic.
 15. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 14, wherein said low temperature reactive, heat activated adhesive is a urethane.
 16. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 15, wherein said substrate is selected from a group consisting of fiberglass, cotton, cotton blends, polyesters and combinations thereof.
 17. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 16, further comprising placing said tape along arms of said furniture.
 18. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 19, further comprising placing said tape along the back of said furniture.
 19. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 18, further comprising placing said tape along the top surfaces of cushion areas of said furniture.
 20. A method of securely attaching a slipcover to furniture of claim 19, further comprising placing said tape along a front of said furniture. 